National Ag Day Keynote Speaker

Chuck Zimmerman March 15, 2011

At the National Ag Day dinner in Washington, DC our keynote speaker was USDA Under Secretary Michael Scuse. He welcomed us to this day of celebration.

He starts out describing his support of ariculture today by saying, “Our farmers and ranchers are the best in the world, bar none.” He has a lot of statistics that show how well American farmers have done in recent years. It’s time to remind people you know to thank a farmer.

You can listen to and download his remarks here: Michael Scuse, Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture.
2011 National Ag Day Photo Album

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Ag Day

House Ag Chairman Lucas Addresses Ag Day

Chuck Zimmerman March 15, 2011

We’ve got youth in agriculture here at National Ag Day from just about every organization you can think of including the FFA. Introducing our lunch speaker today was Victor Salazar, Connecticut FFA state president. He was introduced by Orion Samuelson and I’m thinking that alone made an impression on him. But then it was his turn to do the introduction and he did an awesome job. I’ve got his intro on the audio file you can listen to below.

U.S. Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK), Chairman of the House Ag Committee, thanked, “Mr. President,” which got a good chuckle since we were in the Capitol Bldg. He says the last time he came in third in a political contest was for FFA Reporter in Oklahoma once upon a time. He then talked farm bill and budget and says it’s going to be a tough year. He asked everyone to help educate members of the House who may not fully understand the business of agriculture.

You can listen Victor and Chairman Lucas here: Ag Comm. Chrm. Lucas Comments
2011 National Ag Day Photo Album

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Ag Day, Audio

A Voice For Ag Day

Chuck Zimmerman March 15, 2011

The man with the voice no one will forget, Orion Samuelson, WGN, emceed the National Ag Day Mix & Mingle Luncheon today. I spoke with Orion before the program got started to get his thoughts on Ag Day and learn what we’ll be doing this celebrate American agriculture day.

Orion says that we’ve had Labor Day to honor labor in the fall forever and now in just the last 30 years we have a day to kick of the spring that celebrates those who work on our farms. Attendance here is at an all time high. It’s very appropriate that we’re having three meal time functions! After all we’re honoring those who put food on our table as well as on our backs and in our cars.

You can listen to my interview with Orion here: Orion Samuelson Interview

I now have a photo album started with all my luncheon photos. Thanks to the USDA “internet man” for his help! I’ll add to the album after tonight’s dinner too: 2011 National Ag Day Photo Album

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Ag Day, Audio

National Ag Day Activities

Chuck Zimmerman March 15, 2011

I finally made it to Washington, DC but not without missing last night’s Agri-Pulse reception with Michael Peterson. Here’s the Agri-Pulse banner crew in action before the party.

I was able to attend the Mix & Mingle Luncheon and have lots of photos. We’re going to have the big dinner tonight at USDA and I’ll have lots of photos from it as well. I have tried uploading them with both a Verizon Mifi and my iPhone but no luck. Not much in the way of a signal even at the entrance to the building. So, I’m waiting on a USDA IT person to see if I can get on some kind of internal access. Until then, I’m not going to be able to upload anything else.

I have lots of audio and interviews to share and will be featuring them all week as we celebrate American agriculture and the farmers who feed us.

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Ag Day

“Bury Derry Day” Details

Cindy Zimmerman March 15, 2011

It may sound disrespectful, but our good friend Derry Brownfield always referred to the day of his funeral as “Bury Derry Day” – so that’s what we’re calling it!

The official obituary has been published now in the Jefferson City News Tribune with the important facts of his life distilled into a few short paragraphs. Those who knew him could write a book about him!

But here are the details for visitation and funeral and such:

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at California United Church of Christ, California, Mo. Burial will be in California Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo. Memorials are suggested to the Gideon’s International, c/o Derry Brownfield, P.O. Box 79, Centertown, MO 65023. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.

I will be there tonight for the visitation. Chuck is hoping to get back from DC early enough tomorrow morning to get to the funeral. We know that many of Derry’s friends and fans will be there – along with his wonderful family. It is sad to know that his voice will no longer be coming out live from a microphone here on Earth, but we will be celebrating the time we had with him and his new life in Heaven this week!

Uncategorized

Friends Support America’s Heartland

Cindy Zimmerman March 14, 2011

With federal funding for public broadcasting on the chopping block in Washington, programs like “America’s Heartland” need friends more than ever.

Now in its sixth season, the PBS show shares the stories of America’s farmers and ranchers with a sophisticated public television viewing audience and is seeking production funding for its seventh season. To that end, the grassroots “Friends of America’s Heartland” website is offering fans of the award-winning series a way to support it by making donations and encouraging others to do so.

The Friends campaign will supplement the sponsorships already promised for season 7 by the American Farm Bureau Foundation, Farm Credit Services, and the United Soybean Board while additional major funding support is still being sought. America’s Heartland is on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and is produced by KVIE Public Television in Sacramento.

Uncategorized

Students Getting Ready for National Ag Day

Chuck Zimmerman March 14, 2011

Students are getting a little training today for tomorrow’s National Ag Day activities. I am not there yet. In fact, the snow in Missouri caused my flight to be canceled. However, I’m now scheduled for a late flight out tonight. So I’m going to miss the reception this evening with Michael Peterson.

Someone is taking photos and you can see more of the students in action in this AgDay Photo Album.

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Ag Day

Syngenta at Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman March 14, 2011

Syngenta held a press conference at the recent Commodity Classic to discuss challenges growers have in the upcoming season and the Syngenta commitment to make their R&D investment “local” to the grower. Getting things started was Tracy Mader, head of product marketing for Syngenta Seeds. He asked the ag media how many new technologies they had heard about, seen or product launches they had encountered in the last twelve to twenty four months. I don’t keep count but there has been a lot. He calls it a golden age of opportunity for many growers not only because of commodity prices but also for available technologies. Syngenta had a full team on hand to talk with the media. I was able to record the press conference for your listening pleasure but didn’t have a chance to talk one on one at that time.

You can listen to and download the Syngenta press conference here: Syngenta Press Conference

2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Syngenta

BASF and Monsanto Move Forward on Dicamba Tolerance

Cindy Zimmerman March 14, 2011

BASF and Monsanto are taking their dicamba tolerant cropping system collaboration to the next level.

The two companies today announced a new agreement to “facilitate further development work and subsequent commercialization of a dicamba tolerant system, which includes innovative dicamba formulations proprietary to BASF and the dicamba tolerant trait for soybeans, which is proprietary to Monsanto. The system is expected to be introduced in the United States and Canada in the middle of the decade, pending regulatory approvals.”

“The introduction of dicamba tolerant crops combined with improved dicamba formulations will provide farmers the tools they need to combat the yield-robbing weed resistance some are facing in their fields today,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “Since the introduction of Clarity® in 1992, BASF has continually improved its dicamba offerings. Our next generation products will offer yet another step change in volatility reduction while maintaining the highest level of weed control. The system, along with proper stewardship measures, will ultimately deliver peace of mind for growers.”

“We are committed to providing farmers with the weed management tools they need to be successful,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer. “Our work with BASF brings us one step closer to bringing more improved weed control offerings to farmers. We expect the formulations to be an excellent complement to Monsanto’s dicamba tolerant seed technologies when they are brought to market.”
Upon commercialization, the dicamba tolerance trait is expected to be stacked with the high yielding Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean trait. Monsanto also has corn, cotton and canola dicamba tolerant crops in its research and development pipeline. These next-generation technologies are aimed at offering farmers multiple modes of action and superior application timing flexibility in combating weeds.

IFAJ and NAMA Deadlines

Chuck Zimmerman March 14, 2011

We’ve got a couple of deadlines coming up this Friday. The first one is for entries for the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award. Since each country member of IFAJ can nominate a member (that’s AAEA in the USA) you need to get your application in if you would like to be considered.

The award recognizes the leadership potential of young members (35 and younger), and supports their participation at the IFAJ congress through this $1,000 EUR award, designed to help offset travel and registration to Canada, in this case.

Apply by emailing Future Ag Communicators Committee Chair Mindy Williamson (mwilliamson@iowacorn.org) the following:

Name, company, email, phone number (applicants must be no older than 35 as of Dec. 31, 2010)

Three samples of your work

An explanation of why you have leadership potential in agricultural journalism and communications

Another deadline this Friday is early registration for the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference. So get ready to harvest some ideas in Kansas City, MO in April!

New Breakout Sessions on Sustainability, Animal Welfare and Management

Internationally Known Keynote Speakers to challenge you and share information you can use right away

Outstanding Networking with industry leaders and decision-makers

If you’re responsible for brand identity and market development – and if you want to rub elbows with the movers and shakers in the industry – make plans to join NAMA this April in Kansas City.

You’ll discover how to:

* use proven tactics to affect the behavior of your target audience
* attract and hold on to customers from younger markets with big buying power
* unlock the “seven triggers of fascination” that add a strategic marketing approach to the art of influence

The 2011 NAMA Agri-Marketing Conference is going to take your know-how to the next level.

IFAJ, NAMA

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